About AFWERX (RG)

As the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force and powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), AFWERX brings cutting edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employees approximately 370 military, civilian and contractor personnel that execute a $1.4 billion annual budget. Since 2019, the directorate has executed 6,200 new contracts worth more than $4.7 billion bringing cutting edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address DAF challenges.
  • The four core arms of AFWERX - Ventures, Spark, Prime and SpaceWERX - serve to expand the defense industrial base for advanced technologies, empower Airmen and Guardian talent, and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. 
  • AFWERX teams internationally across academia, industry and government to develop technology, expand talent and transition dual-use capabilities. 
  • Mission: AFWERX accelerates agile and affordable capability transitions by teaming leaders in innovative technology with Airman and Guardian talent. 
  • Mantra: Unleashing American Ingenuity
  • Vision: Forge an innovation ecosystem that delivers disruptive Air & Space capabilities.

AFRL/AFWERX Leadership

IMPORTANT LINKS

Latest AFWERX News

AFWERX Divisions

  • Ventures funds emerging technologies to deliver Air Force and Space Force capabilities and broaden access to disruptive innovation. Transforms the national security innovation base by attracting and scaling small businesses via government and private capital. 
  • Spark marshals capability, cultivates talent and connects Airmen and Guardians. Spark connects Airman and Guardians to commercial innovators using virtual collaboration, immersive training and networking opportunities to inspire ideas and cultivate a more creative force. By connecting operators closer to acquisition processes, Spark provides both a voice and a conduit to turn powerful ideas into game-changing operational realities.
  • Prime expands technology transition paths to accelerate emerging technology markets by leveraging government resources for rapid and affordable fielding, attracting and optimizing external funding and talent.
  • SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a unique division within AFWERX, aims to identify, acquire, and integrate innovative capabilities into the USSF while cultivating partnerships among our nation’s Space Guardians.  

AFWERX Videos

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

AFWERX combines startup urgency with the largest pool of motivated talent in the world to uncover opportunities to improve Air and Space Force capabilities, connect and engage the right stakeholders, and facilitate outcomes.

AFWERX Fellowship Program
  • Unique opportunity for Air Force and Space Force members to gain insight into AFWERX capabilities, help shape the Air Force’s future projects and focus areas, and discover innovation enablers and pathways to resources that can benefit you in your future roles in the Force.
SAGE Fellowship Program
  • The AFWERX SAGE Fellowship is an opportunity for Airmen, Guardians, and Civilians to work directly with Open Topic Phase I small businesses to help them learn how to operate within the DAF ecosystem. SAGE Fellows help Phase I organizations understand day-to-day practices and leverage their networks to help in identifying potential customers for emerging dual-use technologies. Applications for the current cohort are open through 15 Nov 2024.
Weekly Webinar Series
  • Ventures is hosting weekly webinars, every Thursday at noon ET, to educate, inform and answer any questions you may have about the Ventures Open and Specific Topic processes. Tune in each week to learn more and ask your questions.
AFWERX Events
  • Colliders, Challenges, SBIR/STTR Roadshows and Tech Warrior events.  Check out the events section on our site for dates and opportunities for companies to showcase their ideas/tech/solutions to government customers.
 
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